South Africa’s bioeconomy may still be young, but it has been steadily taking shape for more than a decade. Seen by government as a pathway to create jobs, boost energy security, and tackle environmental challenges, it is agriculture that lies at the heart of this growth. With strong agricultural innovation, affordable land, and a dynamic private sector, South Africa provides fertile ground for new ideas and global collaboration.
The Bioeconomy Strategy, launched in 2013, built on earlier national policies and set bold targets: to make the bioeconomy a major contributor to GDP by 2030 and reach 5% of GDP by 2050. To drive this forward, initiatives such as the Agricultural Bioeconomy Innovation Partnership Programme (ABIPP) have leveraged R250 million in co-funding from industry and supported projects in crop research, aquaculture, niche native crops like Marula and Honeybush, and the Bioeconomy SA Portal.
More recently, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen emphasised agriculture’s central role in delivering the highest impact across the bioeconomy value chain. The review of the National Biodiversity Economy Strategy (NBES) aims to expand opportunities in eco-tourism, bioprospecting, forestry, and marine resources, potentially increasing biodiversity-based industries from R2 billion in 2020 to nearly R12 billion by 2036.
On the global stage, South Africa has helped lead the G20 Initiative on Bioeconomy, working with partners such as Wageningen University and Research (WUR) to create a framework for measuring bioeconomy development and ensuring that food security remains a priority.
Innovation in Action
South Africa’s bioeconomy is not just policy, it’s happening on the ground:
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Mining to Biofuel: A major mining company is exploring ways to repurpose abandoned mine land for biofuel crop production.
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Coega Biomass Centre: A Dutch-South African project converting invasive alien plants into biomass pellets, replacing coal and creating over 600 jobs.
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Opus Cactus: A startup pioneering cactus-based biogas in semi-arid regions, with huge potential in water-efficient farming and new bio-based products.
Partnerships Driving Growth
Collaboration is the backbone of this sector. South African and Dutch universities, research institutes, and businesses are working together on projects ranging from sustainable cropping systems to student-designed farm business plans. These partnerships strengthen innovation while ensuring solutions are scalable and practical.
Looking Ahead
Though still in its early stages, South Africa’s bioeconomy is ambitious. With aligned efforts from government, private industry, and international partners, it is positioned to become a driver of sustainable growth and innovation, offering opportunities not only in cultivation and production but also in advanced processing and value-added industries.
The momentum is building, and with the right investment and collaboration, South Africa’s bioeconomy could become a model for innovation, resilience, and sustainability worldwide.
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